Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'these'

English Word: these

Key Russian Translations:

• Эти [ˈɛ.tʲi] - [Informal/Neutral, Plural Demonstrative]
• Сии [ˈsʲi.i] - [Formal/Archaic, Plural Demonstrative, Used in literary or official contexts]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversation and writing)

Difficulty: A1 (Basic level for 'Эти'; A2 for 'Сии' due to its more formal and less frequent usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Эти: [ˈɛ.tʲi]

Note on Эти: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'тʲ' represents a palatalized 't', which is a common feature in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers to master.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation of 'Эти'

Сии: [ˈsʲi.i]

Note on Сии: This is an older form; pronunciation is similar to modern Russian but with a softer 'sʲ' sound. It's less commonly heard in spoken language today.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation of 'Сии'

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to objects or ideas that are nearby or previously mentioned (plural demonstrative pronoun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Эти - Used in casual, everyday situations to point out multiple items close to the speaker or in the immediate context (e.g., in conversations, descriptions).
• Сии - Used in formal, written, or archaic contexts to refer to multiple items with a sense of emphasis or formality (e.g., in legal documents or literature).

Usage Examples:

• Эти книги очень интересные. (These books are very interesting.)

  Translation: These books are very interesting. (Context: Casual conversation about objects in the room.)

• Эти люди пришли из Москвы. (These people came from Moscow.)

  Translation: These people came from Moscow. (Context: Describing a group of individuals nearby.)

• Сии документы должны быть проверены. (These documents must be verified.)

  Translation: These documents must be verified. (Context: Formal or official setting, such as a business meeting.)

• Эти цветы нужно поливать ежедневно. (These flowers need to be watered daily.)

  Translation: These flowers need to be watered daily. (Context: Practical advice in a gardening discussion.)

• Сии идеи из прошлого века. (These ideas are from the last century.)

  Translation: These ideas are from the last century. (Context: Historical or academic discourse.)

Meaning 2: Emphasizing proximity or specificity in a sentence (plural form in comparisons or selections)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Эти - Often used to contrast with 'те' (those), highlighting immediate relevance.
• Сии - Rarely used in modern speech; when it is, it's for stylistic emphasis in writing.

Usage Examples:

• Эти яблоки спелые, а те – нет. (These apples are ripe, but those aren't.)

  Translation: These apples are ripe, but those aren't. (Context: Comparing items in a market.)

• Сии варианты лучше, чем другие. (These options are better than the others.)

  Translation: These options are better than the others. (Context: Formal decision-making process.)

• Эти фото сделаны вчера. (These photos were taken yesterday.)

  Translation: These photos were taken yesterday. (Context: Sharing recent memories.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Эти' and 'Сии' are both adjectives/demonstratives that inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They are invariable in terms of gender but change with case and number.

Note: These forms follow standard Russian adjective inflections, which are regular but require attention to case endings.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Данные (These, in a data or list context; more neutral and modern)
  • Оные (These, formal/archaic alternative)
• Antonyms:
  • Те (Those, referring to distant objects)
  • Иные (Other, implying difference)

Note: 'Данные' is often used in technical contexts, while 'Оные' shares the formal tone of 'Сии'.

Related Phrases:

• Эти вещи (These things) - Refers to nearby objects in everyday discussion.
• Эти дни (These days) - Used to talk about the current period, implying recent events.
• Сии обстоятельства (These circumstances) - Formal phrase for discussing specific situations in legal or narrative contexts.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'these' directly corresponds to 'Эти' in most informal contexts, making it a straightforward translation for beginners. However, in formal Russian, opt for 'Сии' to match a more elevated tone, as seen in official documents. Always pay attention to case agreement; for example, 'Эти' must agree with the noun it modifies in case and number. When choosing between translations, use 'Эти' for spoken language and 'Сии' for written or archaic styles to avoid sounding outdated in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'Эти' without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я видел эти" instead of "Я видел эти вещи" (I saw these things).

  Correct: Ensure the demonstrative agrees with the noun's case, as in "Я видел эти вещи". Explanation: Russian requires full agreement, unlike English, where 'these' remains unchanged.

• Error: Confusing 'Эти' with 'Те' (those), e.g., using 'Эти' for distant objects.

  Correct: Use 'Эти' only for nearby items; for distant ones, say 'Те книги' (Those books). Explanation: This mix-up can lead to spatial confusion in communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, demonstratives like 'Эти' are used similarly to English but can carry a subtle emphasis on immediacy, reflecting the language's context-driven nature. 'Сии' evokes a sense of historical or literary tradition, often found in classic Russian literature by authors like Tolstoy, highlighting Russia's rich cultural heritage in formal expression.

Related Concepts:

• Те (Those)
• Всякие (Various)
• Другие (Other)